Process and apparatus for manufacturing anatomically accurate individual foot supports for shoes



Oct. 13, 1931. HESS 1,826,783

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING ANATOMIQALLY ACCURATE INDIVIDUAL FOOT SUPPORTS FOR SHOES Filed Feb. 15, 1929 Patented on. 13.19.31

UNITED STATES PATENT orrlcs YBI'I'Z HES, OI HAGEN, WEBTPKALIA, GERMANY r'nocnss m arrmrus non. manor-screams maromcxmy accum'rn v v nmrvmun. roo'r surroa'rs roa snore application fled February 1t, 1929, Serial no. 340,299, and m u e we '1, ms.

' 1Q such insoles.

The present invention does not utilize these known methods and media. According to the invention the negative is formed by thin spring-controlled metallic pins suitably arranged in a box closely guxtaposed, which together in their unloade position form an absolutely fiat surface. The patient stands with the necessary weight on the surface 7 formed by the pins. These pins, each of so which moves individually and independently of the others, conform exactly with the shape of the foot. The pins are then held in the box' in their depressed position by clamping or pressing means. A second positive 1mpresa sion is obtained by inverting a second box containing loose pins over the box containing the negative impression of the foot, which loose pins conform exactly with the negative form. The positive and negative thus obtained form a kind of die or stamping form between which the metal plates for the support are shaped by pressing. The only subsequent work required is smoothing 0d along the edges.

An embodiment of the invention is illus' trated by way of example in the accompany I ing drawings, in which v Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of the apparatus.

Fig. 2 is apart sectional view of the apps.- ratus on larger scale.

Figs. 3 and 4 show each a portion cut out of an element in top plan view on considerably larger scale.

In a suitable rectangular metal box a which is somewhat longer and wider than the largest foot coming into question, pins 1) of square cross section are arranged vertically closely juxtaposed in longitudinal and transverse rows, said pins forming together a complete surface. Each pin b has an extension 0 at one against the perforated plate d and at the xin Fig. 3, and also are pressed so tightly Fig. 2. A nut f screwed on the threaded rear end of the pin b prevents the pin from falling out of plate d. Springs 6 wound around the extensions 0 of the pins 6 rest at one end 0 other end against the lower surface of the corresponding pin 6 and to maintain said pins 'in theirraised position. Each individual pin b can be adjusted freely and independently from its companion pins, as shown in Fig. 2. The box a is mounted between guide bars 9 of a frame and adapted to be pulled out on one side of the frame.

In order to obtain a negative mould of the foot .of a patient, this patient has to put his foot on the surface formed by the pins 5. The pins a? sink to different depths'according to the shape of the foot and form a bed conforming in every detail with the anatomical structure of the foot.

A' locking bar z" is inserted into slots h in the front ends of the side walls of box a in which it bears against the pins 5. This lock of the arrow, the eccentric discs m press against the bar 6 which will'be forced into the box a. Owing to the great frictional pressure thus produced, not only all the'pins which .were hitherto freely movable, as shown in somewhat exaggerated form in Fig. 4, are clamped securely, in position, as shown 90 against each other that they cannot alter their position even under comparatively strong pressure.

In a frame 0 a second box 11 containing pins q is arranged. This box 2 is provided with 95, an exactly similar arrangement also with similar clamping arrangement as box a, only the springs e are omitted, so that the pins q can move freely in the carrying plate. First all the pins 9 are secured in their raised position by means of a clamping bar 2' '1 position can be attained by simply lowermg the box p ontothe flat surface of the box a. After the negative form with the box a has been pushed under the box 12 the clamping device in this latter box is released. The pins 1 will then drop loosely onto the negative moulds in the box a, so that a positive mould is produced. The Y secured in their adjusted position by the ins clamping device. i I

The box p is again raised and a thm metal plate 7*, generally of aluminium is introduced between the two moulds, whereupon by screwingdown the spindle 8 said. plate will be pressed to the proper shape. The metal plate or support when removed from the moulds is finished and only requires smoothing along the edges. x i

I claim a 1. A method of manufacturing suppotts for flat feet from the natural foot consisting in producing a negative mould corresponding exactly to the actual shape of the sole of a foot by pressing said foot onto a yielding surface composed of a plurality of juxtaposed elements, in mechanically fixing this mould in its position, in producing a positive mould from said negative mould by pressing a similarly composed yielding surface on to said negative mould, in mechanically fixing said positive mould, and in stamping a metal plate between said positive and negative moulds to form a support corresponding wearer.

2. An apparatus compnslng m combinaaccurately to the shape of the foot of the V tion a lower mould, composed of a number I an interposed plate of sheet metal on said" 50 of spring-controlled, vertically displaceable, closely juxtaposed pins forming together a yielding surface, means for locklng said pins in any vertical position, an upper mould adapted to be placed on said lower mould and composed of a number of freely vertically displaceable closely juxtaposed pins forming together a mouldable surface, means for looking said pins in any vertical position, and

means for pressing said upper mould with lower mould.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

DR. "FRITZ HESS.

are then 

